An outline of the Book of Psalms

Hebrew Name - Tehillim "praises"
Greek Name - Psalmoi (Greek form of the Hebrew mizmor, meaning instrument songs)
Author - David (According to Tradition)
Date - 1056 BC Approximately
Theme - Give praise to the Lord
Types and Shadows - In Psalms Jesus is the One worthy of all praise

Psalms is divided into five books : Psalms 1-41, which witness to David's life and faith; Psalms 42-72, a group of historical writings; Psalms 73-99, ritual psalms; Psalms 90-106, reflecting pre-captivity sentiment and history; and Psalms 107-150, dealing with the captivity and return to Jerusalem. These five books are often regarded as the devotional counterpart to the five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy).

The Psalms of David included Psalms 2-41 (except Psalms 33), Psalms 51-72, Psalms 108-110, and Psalms 138-145. David was no doubt a very skillful musician, the Bible mentions that he played the lyre for King Saul (1 Samuel 16:23), and the prophet Amos mentions that David invented instruments of music for worship of the Lord (Amos 6:5). There is also mention in the book of Samuel about David lamenting over Saul and Jonathan in a poetic fashion revealing his natural ability.

There is no doubt the David wrote most of the Psalms, and the ones that he did not write are in his style as well.

Among the Psalms are two collections of Levitical Psalms, one is ascribed to the "sons of Korah" (Psalms 42-49), the other is ascribed to Asaph (Psalms 73-83 and Psalms 50). These exalt the tribes of Joseph. There are Psalms mentioning Moses, Haman, Ethan, and Solomon, some are anonymous (Psalm 33, 84-89). Some of the Psalms reveal a strong liturgical emphasis which might've been used in worship services, or on special days and do not mention the author (Psalms 91-100).

Some of the Psalms are commemorating victories, while others are historical, remembering the Lord and God's people in past events. Other Psalms are prophetic and look to the future and the coming of the Messiah, as well as the heavenly kingdom. There are Psalms of affliction, lamentation and remorse over sin, as well as songs of Thanksgiving and trusting the Lord.

Some of the songs were chosen to be good for reciting on certain Jewish holy days, like the Sabbath, or Passover, the feast of Tabernacles, etc. There are titles on about 100 of the Psalms, the titles are so old that they cannot be understood even in the second century BC. Some of the titles point to the source of the Psalm, while others point to a certain purpose, or a certain melody, or something related to music.


 1:1-1:6     The Two Ways

 2:1-2:11    God's Promise to His Anointed

 3:1-3:8     Trust in God under Adversity

 4:1-4:8     Confident Plea for Deliverance from Enemies

 5:1-5:12    Trust in God for Deliverance from Enemies

 6:1-6:10    Prayer for Recovery from Grave Illness

 7:1-7:17    Plea for Help against Persecutors

 8:1-8:9     Divine Majesty and Human Dignity

 9:1-9:20    God's power and Justice

10:1-10:18   Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

11:1-11:7    Song of Trust in God

12:1-12:8    Plea for Help in Evil Times

13:1-13:6    Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

14:1-14:7    Denunciation of Godlessness

15:1-15:5    Who Shall Abide in God's Sanctuary?

16:1-16:11   Song of Trust and Security in God

17:1-17:15   Prayer for Deliverance from Persecutors

18:1-18:50   Royal Thanksgiving for Victory

19:1-19:14   God's Glory in Creation and the Law

20:1-20:9    Prayer for Victory

21:1-21:13   Thanksgiving for Victory

22:1-22:31   Plea for Deliverance from Suffering and Hostility

23:1-23:6    The Divine Shepherd

24:1-24:10   Entrance into the Temple

25:1-25:22   Prayer for Guidance and for Deliverance

26:1-26:12   Plea for Justice and Declaration of Righteousness

27:1-27:14   Triumphant Song of Confidence

28:1-28:9    Prayer for Help and Thanksgiving for It

29:1-29:11   The Voice of God in a Great Storm

30:1-30:12   Thanksgiving for Recovery from Grave Illness

31:1-31:24   Pray and Praise for Deliverance from Enemies

32:1-32:11   The Joy of Forgiveness

33:1-33:22   The Greatness and Goodness of God

34:1-34:22   Praise for Deliverance from Trouble

35:1-35:28   Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

36:1-36:12   Human Wickedness and Divine Goodness

37:1-37:40   Exhortation to Patience and Trust of David

38:1-38:22   A Penitent Sufferer's Plea for Healing

39:1-39:13   Prayer for Wisdom and Forgiveness

40:1-40:17   Thanksgiving for Deliverance and Prayer for Help

41:1-41:13   Assurance of God's Help and a Plea for Healing

42:1-42:11   Longing for God and His Help in Distress

43:1-43:5    Prayer to God in Time of Trouble

44:1-44:26   National Lament and Prayer for Help

45:1-45:17   Ode for a Royal Wedding

46:1-46:11   God's Defense of His City and People

47:1-47:9    God's Rule over the Nations

48:1-48:14   The Glory and Strength of Zion

49:1-49:20   The Folly of Trust in Riches

50:1-50:23   The Acceptable Sacrifice

51:1-51:19   Prayer for Cleansing and Pardon

52:1-52:9    Judgment on the Deceitful

53:1-53:6    Denunciation of Godlessness

54:1-54:7    Prayer for Vindication

55:1-55:23   Complaint about a Friend's Treachery

56:1-56:13   Trust in God under Persecution

57:1-57:11   Praise and Assurance under Persecution

58:1-58:11   Prayer for Vengeance

59:1-59:17   Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

60:1-60:12   Prayer for National Victory after Defeat

61:1-61:8    Assurance of God's Protection

62:1-62:12   Song of Trust in God Alone

63:1-63:11   Comfort and Assurance in God's Presence

64:1-64:10   Prayer for Protection from Enemies

65:1-65:13   Thanksgiving for Earth's Bounty

66:1-66:20   Praise for God's Goodness to Israel

67:1-67:7    The Nations Called to Praise God

68:1-68:35   Praise and Thanksgiving

69:1-69:36   Prayer for Deliverance from Persecution

70:1-70:5    Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

71:1-71:24   Prayer for Lifelong Protection and Help

72:1-72:20   Prayer for Guidance and Support for the King

73:1-73:28   Plea for Relief from Oppressors

74:1-74:23   Plea for Help in Time of National Humiliation

75:1-75:10   Thanksgiving for God's Wondrous Deeds

76:1-76-16   Israel's God - Judge of All the Earth

77:1-77:20   God's Mighty Deeds Recalled

78:1-78:72   God's Goodness and Israel's Ingratitude

79:1-79:13   Plea for Mercy for Jerusalem

80:1-80:19   Prayer for Israel's Restoration

81:1-81:16   God's Appeal to Stubborn Israel

82:1-82:8    A Plea for Justice

83:1-83:18   Prayer for Judgment on Israel's Foes

84:1-84:12   The Joy of Worship in the Temple

85:1-85:13   Prayer for the Restoration of God's Favor

86:1-86:17   Supplication for Help against Enemies

87:1-87:7    The Joy of Living in Zion

88:1-88:18   Prayer for Help in Despondency

89:1-89:52   God's Covenant with David

90:1-90:17   God's Eternity and Human Frailty

91:1-91:16   Assurance of God's Protection

92:1-92:15   Thanksgiving for Vindication

93:1-93:5    The Majesty of God's Rule

94:1-94:23   God the Avenger of the Righteous

95:1-95:11   A Call to Worship and Obedience

96:1-96:13   Praise to God Who Comes in Judgment

97:1-97:12   The Glory of God's Reign

98:1-98:9    Praise the Judge of the World

99:1-99:9    Praise to God for His Holiness

100:1-100:5   All Lands Summoned to Praise God

101:1-101:8   A Sovereign's Pledge of Integrity and Justice

102:1-102:28  Prayer to the Eternal King for Help

103:1-103:22  Thanksgiving for God's Goodness

104:1-104:35  God the Creator and Provider

105:1-105:45  God's Faithfulness to Israel

106:1-106:48  A Confession of Israel's Sins

107:1-107:43  Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Many Troubles

108:1-108:13  Praise and Prayer for Victory

109:1-109:31  Prayer for Vindication and Vengeance

110:1-110:7   Assurance of Victory for God's Priest-king

111:1-111:10  Praise for God's Wonderful Works

112:1-112:10  Blessings of the Righteous

113:1-113:9   God the Helper of the Needy

114:1-114:8   God's Wonders at the Exodus

115:1-115:18  The Impotence of Idols and the Greatness of God

116:1-116:19  Thanksgiving for Recovery from Illness

117:1-117:2   Universal Call to Worship

118:1-118:29  A Song of Victory

119:1-119:176 The Glories of God's Law

120:1-120:7   Prayer for Deliverance from Slanderers

121:1-121:8   Assurance of God's Protection

122:1-122:9   Song of Praise and Prayer for Jerusalem

123:1-123:4   Supplication for Mercy

124:1-124:8   Thanksgiving for Israel's Deliverance

125:1-125:5   The Security of God's People

126:1-126:6   A Harvest of Joy

127:1-127:5   God's Blessings in the Home

128:1-128:6   The Happy Home of the Faithful

129:1-129:8   Prayer for the Downfall of Israel's Enemies

130:1-130:8   Waiting for Divine Redemption

131:1-131:3   Song of Quiet Trust

132:1-132:18  The Eternal Dwelling of God in Zion

133:1-133:3   The Blessedness of Unity

134:1-134:3   Praise in the Night

135:1-135:21  Praise for God's Goodness and Might

136:1-136:26  God's Work in Creation and in History

137:1-137:9   Lament over the Destruction of Jerusalem

138:1-138:8   Thanksgiving and Praise of David

139:1-139:24  The Inescapable God

140:1-140:13  Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

141:1-141:10  Prayer for Preservation from Evil

142:1-142:7   Prayer for Deliverance from Persecutors

143:1-143:12  Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies

144:1-144:15  Prayer for National Deliverance and Security

145:1-145:21  The Greatness and the Goodness of God

146:1-146:10  Praise for God's Help

147:1-147:20  Praise for God's Care for Jerusalem

148:1-148:14  Praise for God's Universal Glory

149:1-149:9   Praise for God's Goodness to Israel

150:1-150:6   Praise for God's Surpassing Greatness